The BJP is set to take power in Himachal Pradesh with its candidates on a victory lap in 41 of the 68 seats in the Assembly elections. The party won its first seat by defeating Congress cabinet Minister Prakash Chaudhary on Monday.

BJP's Inder Singh Gandhi defeated Chaudhary from Balh in Mandi district with a big margin.

Trends from the other counting centres across the hill state showed the Congress was ahead in 23 constituencies, while the BJP was leading in 41 seats and smaller parties and independents had inched ahead in all others seats.